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Feb. 3, 1931. l-lt J. HILLBRN '1,790,863 i OUTBOARD MOTOR CETERING LOCK Filed sept.v 12, 1928 v ATTORNEYS,

Patented Feb. 3, 1931 UNITED si'afras PATENT OFI-ICE HERBERT I. HILLBOBN, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, Asi'sIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGN- MENTs'To OUTBOARD MOTORS CORPORATION, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORA- TION F MICHIGAN OUTBOARD-MOTOR CENTERING LOCK Application led September 12, 1928. Serial No. 305,413.

This invention relates to improvements in outboard motor centering locks.

It is the object of the invention to provide a simple and effective centering lock for fixing the rotative or dirigible position of an outboard motor for starting purposes and for maintaining a desired direct course. Outboard motors are dirigible about the axes of their crank shafts'so that in starting such a motor against the compression and other resistances Which exist therein there is a tendency to rotate the entire vmotor as in Vsteering. If the motor starts suddenly in a position such that its propulsive force is exerted With a considerable lateral component there may be some danger of tipping over the craft to which the motor is attached.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an outboard motor partially broken avvay to a vertical axial section to expose the latch mechanism which comprises the particular subject matter of this application.

Figure 2 is a detail View in front elevation of such latch mechanism showing the latch open.

Figure 3 is a detail view in front elevation of the latch mechanism showing the latch closed.

Figure 4 isa. detail view in transverse section through the shaft which controls the latch mechanism illustrating a friction detent applied to such shaft.

Like parts are identified by the same reference characters throughout the several views. y

The transom bracket 5 carries a transverse pintle 6 comprising -a horizontal pivot about which the entire motor is adjustable to fix it in a vertical position. Oscillatory upon the pintle 6 is the bearing member 7 which is provided with a split sleeve at 8 for engagement with the pintle and a vertical bearing sleeve 9 Within which the motor oscillates for steering. The dirigible parts of the motor comprise the crank case 1Q, cylinders' 11, fuel tank 12, vertical drive shaft housing 13, gearn housing 14 and propeller 15. The angular position of these parts within the bearing shoWn in Figures 2 and 4.

slecvo') is controlled by means of a tiller 16 in the usual Way.

ProJccting forwardly from the crank case its notch or recess 23 the motor proper may be Yfreely oscillated in bearing sleeve 9 by means of thetiller 16. It is preferred to employ a detent of some kind to hold the parts in this position which is the normal running position. A convenient means of accomplishing the desired resultis shown in Figure 4. One of the arms is provided at 26 with a tapped bore adapted to receive the hollow block 27 Which carries a compression spring 28 and a ball 29. The bore 26 intersects the bore in which shaft 21 is oscillatory and such shaft is provided at 24 Without a notch" or depression adapted to receive ball 29 when in registry therewith.

-The interactionot` these parts affords suficient resistance tovmaintain the rock shaft 21 yieldably in its inoperative position as lVhen it is desired to maintain the motor upon a straight course or to fix its position for starting purposes the resistance of the detent mechanism shown in Figure 4 is overcome by the manipulation of handle 22 by Which the rock shaft is oscillated to its Figure 3 position, thereby dropping the latch member 25 into the notch 23.. .It will be obvious that With the latch member so positioned the tiller 16 will be ineffective and the entire dirigible portion of the outboard `mOtor will be locked against .dirigible movement. Any desired force may be applied to the fly Wheel or crank shaft, for starting with,

lthe assurance that when the motor starts it I claim:

1. The combination with an outboard motor bracket providing a pintle, of a bearin member provided vwith a sleeve upon sai y.

v pintle having an upwardly exposed notch,

propelling mechanism dirigibly supported for oscillation about a vertical axis in said bearin member, arms projecting forward fronilaaid propelling mechanism and adapt- .einhe oscillation thereof to pass ,above saidtch, a rock shaft carried by said arms --andlatch element mounted upon said rock ?shaftand receivable in said notch when in registry therewith, whereby to lock said diparts against oscillation.

Q. The combination with an outboard motor bracket providing a pintle, of a bearing member provided with a sleeve upon said pintle havingl an'upwardly expgsed notch, pro- 29 pelling mechanism dirigibly supported for osf cillation about a vertical axis in said bearing member, arms projecting forward from said propelling mechanism and adapted in the oscillation thereof to pass above said notch,

g a rock shaft carried by said'arms and a latch element mounted upon said rock shaft and receivable in said notch when in registry therewith, whereby to lock said dirigible parts against oscillation, said rock shaft be- 3o ing provided with a detent yieldably adapted to maintain said rock shaft a position for the disengagement of said latch member trom said notch.

- 3. In a device of the character described, the combination with a stationary element and a dirigible element rotatably carried by the' stationary element, of latch means comprising a notched portion on said stationary element and a latch member 'carried by the 4o dirigible element and mounted for oscillation about an axis tangential to the path of movement of said latch member about the axis of Vthe dirigible element when the latter is rotated, the axis of said latch member being disposed in a vertical plane passing through said notched portion.

V4. Ina device of the character described, c the combination with a stationary element and a dirigible element rotatably carried by the stationary element, of latch means comprising a notched portion of said stationary element and a latch member carried by the dirigible element and mounted for oscillation about an axis tangential to the path of movement of said latch member about the axis of the dirigibleelement when the latter is rotated, and afdetent yieldably engaging the latch member, the axis of said latch member being disposed in a vertical plane passing 80 through said notched portion.

HERBERT J. HILLBORN. 

